The Region of Durham has partnered with Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) to launch a Community-Based Hate Reporting Program late last month.
Hate-motivated crimes/incidents in Durham Region increased by 77 per cent from 2023 to 2024 (see below).
The program is being run by VSDR and offered in multiple languages, consists of an online tool that allows individuals to securely and confidentially report incidents of hate—even those that do not meet the threshold of criminality.
The program is rooted in a community-based approach that addresses the impact of hate incidents, even if they do not meet the threshold of a criminal offence. By providing a secure and confidential way to report hate outside of traditional systems, VSDR is working to reduce barriers to reporting and ensure people can come forward in a way that feels safe for them, said a joint statement.
In addition to reporting, individuals who have experienced acts of hate can access wrap-around services, including immediate crisis response, counselling, practical assistance, and referrals for additional support. The program also accepts both anonymous reporting and witness-submitted reports to enhance data collection, which will help inform future strategies and provide more accurate aggregate data to uncover trends and patterns of behaviour about hate incidents in Durham Region.